According to the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE), for the year 2017 - 2018, a total of 39,404 people were admitted to the hospital due to road crash injuries. That means that 39,404 lives were endangered on the road when they were just going to work, school, or visit a loved one. And that is why we have to drive safely and be aware of our surroundings.
To help make our roads safer we have gathered around tips on how to drive safely. So feel free to share this with your friends and family, and together maybe we can keep each other safe.
TIPS ON HOW TO DRIVE SAFELY
1. Always keep your eyes on the road
One of the reasons accidents happen is because of inattentive drivers. Their mind is probably off wandering somewhere, thinking of less important things rather than giving their 100% attention to the road.
A lot can happen in a split second, and before you know it your car is already facing another driver. Yeah, accidents happen, and no matter how careful you are if the other driver is not, you can still get involved in a car accident. But, if at least one of you is attentive and focused you can prevent greater casualties ahead.
2. Check everything before you go
Before heading out, especially if it’s for a long drive, make sure that your car is “fit” enough that it won’t have any mechanical problems along the way. And what exactly are those?
Battery
If you haven’t been able to use your car for a long time it would be advisable to check its battery before you head out. Try starting your vehicle first and when you hear clicking sounds, it is possible that your car battery is low or dying.
If you want to check your car battery’s status you can do so with the Maxxlee 20A 12V 24V Smart Automatic 8 Stage Fast Battery Charger SLA Car 4WD Caravan 10A. With its 8-Stage charging process, it automatically detects the battery's initial condition before starting the comprehensive charging process to restore lost battery performance for stronger engine starts and extended battery life. This is suitable for most 12V and 24V Lead Acid batteries from 50Ah-400Ah and can charge 12V Batteries up to 20A (Maximum) or 10A for 24V Batteries.
Lights
Your lights are one of the most important tools that can guide you through the road (especially at night) and one of the most important communication tools that you have with another driver. So, always make sure that all your lights are working. Check your blinkers, headlights, indicator lights, reverse lights, and tail lights before going out
Oil
Always check on when to change your oil level. Not keeping track can give you problems along the way especially on long car rides. If your car’s oil runs out, your engine can be damaged or fail.
Air Pressure
An overinflated or underinflated tire will cause problems along the road. An underinflated tire can be less stable, has less traction, slower response to the steering wheel, and lead to tire failure. While overinflated tires are stiffer and more susceptible to tire damages.
You can easily check for your vehicle’s tire pressure with the Elinz Car Auto Wireless Digital TPMS Tire Tyre Pressure Monitoring System Waterproof Sensors. It has a multi-function monitor that can provide you with real-time tire information to monitor your car’s Tyre Pressure, Temperature, and Battery Voltage.
Brakes
You’re almost done with your checklist. Now, it’s time to check your brakes.
Press your car’s pedal and make sure that it is smooth and not spongy or has a pulsating feeling. A pulsating, wobbling, or grinding noise when you pressed down your car’s pedal means that your brakes might be worn out or will be broken anytime. So double-check before you go. Also, your lights should be able to light up when you step on your brakes.
3. Safety first
This is pretty basic and you have probably heard this over and over again. Wear your seatbelt! It’s pretty simple and easy to do, but it can do many things when the unexpected happens.
According to this article, an estimated 14,955 lives were saved by seat belts nationwide in 2017. That only shows that fourteen thousand people were given a second chance at life because they were wearing seat belts.
4. Know when to slow down and take caution
Accidents happen during broad daylight hours when the sun is shining nicely and the roads are dry. What more if it’s raining, snowing or at night. When it’s raining or snowing roads can be very slippery and it can be very foggy which affects what you see. And at night, things can be very hard to see properly
The best thing to do here is to simply not drive too fast and not to follow vehicles too closely. Be cautious of your distance from other cars and pedestrians. Remember those slippery roads can be very difficult to maneuver your car around and blind spots can take you by surprise.
5. Plan ahead
If you’re going out with your family and you’ll be bringing along kids, chances are they might get bored during the long car ride. And sometimes, they tend to fight, shout or cry. This can easily distract you and lose your focus while driving. It is important to make sure that they have their car seat with them (if still needed) or to buckle them under a seatbelt. But, this doesn’t stop them from being bored.
Some parents suggested that you can let them watch their favorite show while on the road. In Elinz we have Car DVD Players that can keep your kids entertained all throughout the car ride.
To know more about the benefits of car DVD players on long car rides you can check about it in our here.
“Leave sooner, drive slower, live longer.”
